Tri-Methyl-Histone H3 (Lys36) Antibody specificity was determined by peptide ELISA. The graph depicts the binding of the antibody to pre-coated tri-methyl histone H3 (Lys36) peptide in the presence of increasing concentrations of various competitor peptides. As shown, only the tri-methyl histone H3 (Lys36) peptide competed away binding of the antibody.

B. Protein Blotting

A general protocol for sample preparation.

Lyse cells by adding 1X SDS sample buffer (100 µl per well of 6-well plate or 500 µl for a 10 cm diameter plate). Immediately scrape the cells off the plate and transfer the extract to a microcentrifuge tube. Keep on ice.

Western Blot Reprobing Protocol

Reprobing of an existing membrane is a convenient means to immunoblot for multiple proteins independently when only a limited amount of sample is available. It should be noted that for the best possible results a fresh blot is always recommended. Reprobing can be a valuable method but with each reprobing of a blot there is potential for increased background signal. Additionally, it is recommended that you verify the removal of the first antibody complex prior to reprobing so that signal attributed to binding of the new antibody is not leftover signal from the first immunoblotting experiment. This can be done by re-exposing the blot to ECL reagents and making sure there is no signal prior to adding the next primary antibody.

(Optional) To assure that the original signal is removed, wash membrane twice for 5 min each with 10 ml of TBST. Incubate membrane with LumiGLO® with gentle agitation for 1 min at room temperature. Drain membrane of excess developing solution. Do not let dry. Wrap in plastic wrap and expose to x-ray film.

Wash membrane again four times for 5 min each in TBST.

The membrane is now ready to reuse. Start detection at the "Membrane Blocking and Antibody Incubations" step in the Western Immunoblotting Protocol.

C. Antigen Unmasking

For Citrate: Heat slides in a microwave submersed in 1X citrate unmasking solution until boiling is initiated; follow with 10 min at a sub-boiling temperature (95°-98°C). Cool slides on bench top for 30 min.

D. Staining

Wash sections in dH2O three times for 5 min each.

Incubate sections in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 10 min.

Wash sections in dH2O two times for 5 min each.

Wash sections in wash buffer for 5 min.

Block each section with 100–400 µl of preferred blocking solution for 1 hr at room temperature.

Storage:

Tri-Methyl-Histone H3 (Lys36) Antibody detects endogenous levels of histone H3 only when tri-methylated on Lys36. The antibody does not cross-react with non-methylated, mono-methylated, or di-methylated Lys36. In addition, the antibody does not cross-react with methylated histone H3 Lys4, Lys9, Lys27 or methylated histone H4 Lys20.

Species Reactivity:

Polyclonal antibodies are produced by immunizing animals with a synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino terminus of histone H3 in which lysine 36 is tri-methylated. Antibodies are purified by protein A and peptide affinity chromatography.

The nucleosome, made up of four core histone proteins (H2A, H2B, H3, and H4), is the primary building block of chromatin. Originally thought to function as a static scaffold for DNA packaging, histones have now been shown to be dynamic proteins, undergoing multiple types of post-translational modifications, including acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, and ubiquitination (1). Histone methylation is a major determinant for the formation of active and inactive regions of the genome and is crucial for the proper programming of the genome during development (2,3). Arginine methylation of histones H3 (Arg2, 17, 26) and H4 (Arg3) promotes transcriptional activation and is mediated by a family of protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), including the co-activators PRMT1 and CARM1 (PRMT4) (4). In contrast, a more diverse set of histone lysine methyltransferases has been identified, all but one of which contain a conserved catalytic SET domain originally identified in the Drosophila Su(var)3-9, Enhancer of zeste, and Trithorax proteins. Lysine methylation occurs primarily on histones H3 (Lys4, 9, 27, 36, 79) and H4 (Lys20) and has been implicated in both transcriptional activation and silencing (4). Methylation of these lysine residues coordinates the recruitment of chromatin modifying enzymes containing methyl-lysine binding modules such as chromodomains (HP1, PRC1), PHD fingers (BPTF, ING2), tudor domains (53BP1), and WD-40 domains (WDR5) (5-8). The discovery of histone demethylases such as PADI4, LSD1, JMJD1, JMJD2, and JHDM1 has shown that methylation is a reversible epigenetic marker (9).